UCL (University College, London) has a useful set of reading lists on their website. If studying English at university appeals to you then it's worth taking a look. If studying English at university doesn't appeal to you then it's still worth taking a look.

Language use in the General Election

Listen to this abbreviated version of Gordon Brown calling the General Election and pay particular attention to the words he uses. Is there anything here that reminds you of Churchill? Any thoughts on why he finishes in the way he does?

We're not going to comment on the parties' policies or tell you how to vote but we are interested in how politicians use the English language. I had a leaflet through my door, for example, which said: Vote Yellow Get Brown (That's Vote Yellow Get Brown if the colours aren't showing up on your screen.) Which party would have used that slogan? What does it mean? How effective is it?

Now look at some of the other slogans the parties have used and think about the way they use the English Language: the Liberal Democrats; Labour; Conservatives; Plaid Cymru; the Scottish National Party. And, just by way of contrast, what on earth were the UK Independence Party thinking of when they created this poster?

A week is a long time in politics and the slogans have changed as the election has gone on: what do you make of this picture, for example? If you can, compare what you have seen here with the election material that has been coming through your letterbox. And if you have been struggling with some of the terms that have been floating around over the last few weeks, click here for a jargon buster.

Writing about poetry

Writing about one poem
First, before planning your essay, consider

What is your immediate reaction to the poem? – Is it to do with its mood? The images in the poem? The sound of the lines? The message?

What do you think the poet’s aim is in the poem? – Could be to entertain; to make a political point; to describe a particular scene or person etc.

What is the theme or idea behind the poem? How obvious is this?

Why do you think the writer chose to write a poem rather than a piece of prose or draw a picture etc

Now plan your essay.

Introduction

Start with a brief sentence indicating the most significant aspect of the poem: could be theme, images, tone. Indicate what the theme and structure are (e.g. ‘The sonnet form is traditionally associated with the theme of love and here Wordsworth expresses his admiration for London.’).
Following paragraphs

Work through the poem, showing how the style reinforces the theme and the poet’s attitude. You need to be commenting closely on style but don’t just list/ identify stylistic devices: you must indicate what effect they have in creating a clear image/ underlining the atmosphere/ creating a sense of humour etc. Quotation is essential.
Conclusion

Avoid repeating points you’ve already made. Consider what do you now see as most important about the poem? What message is made clear by the end? You might know of some other poem/ passage/ image which makes an interesting comparison. You might give some indication of how the poem relates to the context in which it was written, e.g. how it increases your understanding of a historical/ cultural/ social situation.
If you are writing on two poems

The initial thinking is the same, considering each of these questions for each poem.

Then consider why/ how the two poems are interesting to compare. Are they similar or different? They are likely to have both similarities and differences, obviously, but consider which of these are most significant and most interesting.
Introduction

Start with a brief sentence, indicating the most significant aspect of the poems, indicating whether this is shared or a point of difference (e.g. ‘War is the setting for both poems but …’ or ‘Although one is set in the war and the other in a school, the poems share a sense of the futility…’).

Following paragraphs

Probably best to work through one poem, as if only studying one; then make a linking sentence and then start on second, providing some comments about parallels/ contrasts as you deal with the second.

Conclusion

Draw points together, emphasising the interesting points of similarity and difference. Consider the points raised in the prompt for writing on one poem. Try not to repeat points from earlier in the essay, or only mention briefly.

Poetic devices/ literary terms
alliteration
assonance
imagery
metaphor
simile
repetition
rhyme
rhythm
oomatopoeia
verse
stanza
ballad
sonnet
free verse
blank verse
narrative
dramatic monologue
satire

Short Story reminder sheet

Please also refer to the specifications for English Literature Poetry and Prose and for English Unit 2, which you have in your files.

Used for English and English Literature. Remember that in English Unit 2 you use the second six stories only. In English Literature you use all the stories.

Both English and English Literature want you to explore how an idea/ theme/ situation/ relationship is developed in two stories. Both may expect you to show perception about the cultural difference as shown in stories. This needs to be integrated into your analysis of the stories.

English - 35 minutes - Choice of two questions

The questions expect you to demonstrate awareness of 'distinctive aspects of texts from different cultures and traditions by exploring the ways in which writers use language and structure to create character/ setting/ theme.' i.e. culture tends to be implicit or explicit in the question.

English Literature: 40-45 minutes - Choice of three questions

The questions expect you to make 'comment, criticism [= discussion of how rather than judgement] and analysis [and] will invite reference to relevant contextual features' - i.e. opportunity to demonstrate that you've understood the significant features of this different society.

In both papers there will be a passage-based question. Read the question carefully to see whether your whole essay should focus just on the passages or whether wider reference is needed. You may find opportunities to make passing references to other parts of the story, so long as they are relevant and you don't just tell the story. Avoiding narrative/ description is most important. Always focus on what idea you are wanting to present.

5-point approach to initial thinking and planning

1 theme/ topic - how central is it? does it relate to other themes in story?

2 how do the characters show it?

3 what is the importance of setting (including cultural setting)

4 language - description/ dialogue/ authorial comment/ thoughts - how do they make the theme (or whatever the essay question wanted) evident?

5 what does comparison of the stories reveal (about question topic)

Poetry Podcasts

If you want to try something different for revision and can put up with listening to Mr Peachey for a few minutes, you might want to try listening to (or downloading) these revision MP3 files: Charles Causley's 'Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience' and Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'.

Language essays for GCSE English

You have to write three essays in Section B: one in Unit 1 (writing to inform, explain, describe) and two in Unit 2 (writing to analyse, review, comment; writing to argue, persuade, advise). There are some general rules for approaching these: be aware of audience, format, development/ structure. Also read the question very carefully: it's amazing how easy it is to miss the point, e.g. if it asks about local holidays then Iceland won't do.

Check audience - e.g. fellow students, parents, teachers, parents and students together, members of the public (they may identify a particular group or you may need to select one - if so, make clear in your speech what group you've chosen), head of the school

Check format - e.g speech, letter (formal or informal), article (magazine/ newsletter/ website), leaflet

Note for letters: check the rubric (instructions) carefully - you rarely need to provide an address for letters in exams: the question frequently says 'Start your letter Dear Students' or similar. You do need to have the appropriate ending: Dear Sir ... Yours faithfully or Dear Miss Avery ... Yours sincerely. Remember that signatures do not include your title (Miss/ Professor/ Duke etc) and that you should not waste time designing tear-off slips etc.

Note for leaflets: again check rubric - generally you are asked for 'the words of a leaflet' so do not lay out your information in leaflet style. You may wish to have sections with separate headings and you may have some bullet points but the substantial part of your writing (at least 3/4 of it) should be continuous prose.

Development/ structure: have 3-4 strong points, each of which will make a separate paragraph. Consider whether you need examples, quotations, (brief) anecdotes. You can make up examples and quotations, but keep them short and credible.

When planning and writing, try to keep the audience and situation firmly in your mind: imagine giving a speech to the rest of the form/ writing a letter to Miss Avery etc. Think of how to start to get their attention (but make sure it's appropriate to your audience); consider what style is best (remember, though, that you are demonstrating to your examiner that you can handle language well ... a series of slang expressions and in-jokes is not going to impress him/her). Think of a good ending, making especially sure that you have fulfilled the requirements of the question. Humour can be effective but a sarcastic note throughout rarely works and avoid going over the top in descriptions.

We're swinging into top gear as we prepare for the general election and for the St Mary's mock election on Thursday 6th May. So here's some advice on how to vote, an explanation of what a hung parliament means and a few ways of crunching the numbers from the BBC.

You can also watch it happening live right here.

Great Political Speeches

With the general election coming up, now is a good time to analyse what makes a good political speech. Listen to this speech by Barack Obama given when he was just a warmup act to John Kerry at the Democratic Party Convention in 2004. Whatever you think of Obama's politics you can still be impressed by his oratory. As you watch and listen, try to work out what it is about his choice of words, his delivery and his gestures which makes it so impressive. Here's the transcript.

Now compare this speech with one of the great speeches from an earlier pre-TV age. Families used to gather around the wireless to listen to Mr Churchill and though his style now seems dated, there is no doubting the power of his words 70 years on. Here is a partial transcript of this speech and some other great Churchill speeches.

But don't worry if you have to give a talk: a speech doesn't need to be delivered with great passion to be successful. One of the most powerful political speeches I have ever heard was Geoffrey Howe's resignation speech which effectively ended Mrs Thatcher's time as Prime Minister. It was devastating precisely because it was delivered in so under-stated a manner. If you think it's boring then ask yourself whether it's better to live in a world dominated by soundbites.

Similarly, one of the most important speeches of the 20th Century was Nehru's speech on Indian independence which was heard on millions of crackly radios across the subcontinent. It now has iconic status but it was delivered with none of the obvious passion of an Obama. It's still well worth listening to though.

Year 10 Reading List

With the Easter holidays rapidly approaching what could be more pleasant than a little trip to the library? Here are a few suggestions of what to get out:


City of Light - Lauren Belfer

Exodus - Julie Bertagna

The Alchemist - Paul Coelho

The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly

Bog Child - Siobhan Dowd

The Flight of the Maidens - Jane Gardam

Chocolat - Joanne Harris

The Silent Shore - Ruth Elwin Harris

The Dream Merchant - Isabel Hoving

A Company of Swans - Eva Ibbtoson

Life on the Refrigerator Door - Alice Kuipers

Lost Riders - Elizabeth Laird

The Declaration - Gemma Malley

The Eclipse of the Century - Jan Mark

Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

Ways to Live Forever - Sally Nicholls

Life as We Knew It - Susan Pfeffer

The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett

Sovay - Celia Rees

How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff

The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

Queen of the Big Time - Adriana Trigiani

Digging to America - Anne Tyler

The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak

weRead

There are also useful reviews and discussions about a whole range of books on the weRead site.

If you want to find out more about the The Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal for children's literature then check out the website. We will be shadowing the shortlisted books at St Mary's.

World Book Day

World Book Day is coming this Thursday. To discover more, see videos, read extracts and find out about competitions click here.

Robert Burns

Just in case you're preparing for Burns Night and are looking for a grand, wee poem ...

Much Ado About Nothing

We are all great fans of the Kenneth Branagh's 'Much Ado' but it's important to remember that Branagh gives us only one interpretation of the play. Click here to see some video of what the RSC did with the play in 2006.

Beatrice and Benedick

Two of Shakespeare's greatest characters are Beatrice and Benedick. The "merry war" they wage throughout the play is one of the highlights of Much Ado About Nothing.

Click here to watch two great Shakespearean actors, Zoe Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale, talking about playing the roles of Beatrice and Benedick.

Then try these theatre reviews to understand the different ways in which the play can be produced: Open Air Theatre, London; the National Theatre; and another review of the National Theatre production.